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What are some steps I can take to help me find what major I would enjoy? #Spring25

I am going into college with my major undecided and I need advice on how to find the right major for me. I will be attending the University of Utah in the fall, and I want to have a general idea on what I want to go into so I can get a head start on my major my freshman year.

major undecided college-bound
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Paul’s Answer

I would go on a generalist path, at least initially.

During your first two years of college you will be required to satisfy the General University Requirements (GUR), which include a variety of courses, which eventually assists the student to transfer into their chosen major.

The GUR's will include a number of courses in different subject areas. These include Math, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, English and Writing, and various elective courses.

So, in the next years you will be taking a course load, in which you can potentially make a future decision on a major.

Normally, there is no rush, especially during the first two years. You will have until your junior year in college to make a final decision on a major.

So, I would take the GUR's and determine what area you enjoy the most, and the potential it has in assisting you to achieve the occupation that you want to pursue in life. It most likely will be one of the major areas from the GUR list.
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Krista’s Answer

1. Understand what your values are and what careers align with those values and goals
2. Think about your skills and strengths: What are you good at? What comes naturally to you? Do you excel in problem-solving, creativity, analysis, communication, or something else?
3. Research the profession or job you would enjoy and then work backwards on which major aligns with those roles
4. Understand which type of adult you want to be: the one with work flexibility (not medicine, not healthcare), the one that is creating a visible good impact on humans (doctor, psychology)
5. Stay open, make the best "next decision", try different internships
6. Talk to the career counselors, ask questions, build connections
7. Ask the happy people in your life how they selected their careers, what they think you might be good at
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Sara’s Answer

1. Discover what you enjoy doing.
2. List what you're good at.
3. Look into different majors and understand what they really involve.
4. Talk to students and alumni about their experiences with different majors.
5. Enroll in introductory courses to get a feel for the subjects.
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Aliza’s Answer

Hi Carson - that's a fantastic question!

First off, it's perfectly fine not to have your whole life mapped out at 18.

The best part about university is the amazing range of courses you can choose from, and the University of Utah offers just that. Here's the top advice I got when I started: explore different classes to discover what truly excites you.

Most degree programs include a mix of specific courses, core subjects like math, science, and language, and electives. This means you have more choices in the classes you can take than you might realize. You can work towards your goals while also enjoying the journey.

Aliza recommends the following next steps:

Meet with an academic advisor as often as you need to. Talk about what's interesting and work with them to see how you can explore the path more.
When you take a course that sparks your interest, make use of your professor's office hours - it's not just for when you need help with an assignment. Ask them questions about the program and future career paths.
Once you have an idea of what you may want to major in, dive in. General admin/department advisors will help you figure out how best to plan out your course load moving forward.
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